Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About the role
The Legal and Assurance Lead is Waitī Waters' principal legal adviser, leading governance, enterprise risk and assurance and providing trusted advice to the Board, Chief Executive and Executive Leadership Team.
Based in Masterton, you'll lead the Governance and Legal team, including the Company Secretary function, and help establish robust arrangements for a new organisation responsible for critical water services and significant infrastructure investment.
Key responsibilities
Provide practical legal, governance and risk advice to support sound organisational decisions.
Lead enterprise risk and assurance, including Waitī Waters' risk framework, assurance programme and internal and external reviews.
Lead the Company Secretary function, supporting effective Board and committee governance and shareholder relationships.
Oversee privacy, LGOIMA, information governance and organisational policy, including Privacy Officer responsibilities.
Provide legal and governance advice on major initiatives, infrastructure, procurement and commercial arrangements, including emerging legislative and regulatory requirements.
Lead and develop a high-performing Governance and Legal team and contribute to Waitī Waters' wider leadership.
Ko wai koe | About you
You’ll be an experienced legal and governance professional who combines strong legal expertise with sound judgement and the ability to provide clear, practical advice in a complex environment.
You’ll bring:
A current practising certificate and eligibility to practise law in New Zealand, with significant post-qualification experience.
Experience providing trusted legal and governance advice to Boards, chief executives and senior leaders.
Strong knowledge of corporate governance, enterprise risk, assurance and Company Secretary responsibilities.
Experience advising on complex commercial, contractual, regulatory or public law matters, with the judgement to balance legal, strategic and operational considerations.
Strong relationship management, communication and influencing skills, including handling complex and sensitive matters.
An understanding of te ao Māori and a commitment to working in partnership with iwi and hapū.
Experience in local government, infrastructure, utilities or another regulated environment would be valuable.
Experience in Company Secretary responsibilities, major investment or procurement, enterprise risk or organisational assurance would also be an advantage.
A Chartered Governance Professional qualification or equivalent governance accreditation is desirable.
Ko wai mātou | About us
Waitī Waters is a new, publicly owned water services organisation headquartered in Masterton. Established under the Local Government (Water Services) Act 2025, Waitī Waters is being established by four district councils, South Wairarapa, Tararua, Carterton and Masterton, and two iwi, Rangitāne and Ngāti Kahungunu, to serve current and future generations in the Wairarapa and Tararua region.
Our responsibilities are significant and ambitious, delivering drinking water, wastewater and stormwater services to approximately 25,000 connections and managing $707 million in assets and a $466 million capital works programme into 2034.
How to apply
Please submit your CV and a cover letter outlining your relevant experience and what interests you about this opportunity via the SEEK Apply button or you can email your CV and cover letter directly to [email protected] by Friday 13 November 2026.
Contact Us
Have questions before applying? Reach out to us at [email protected] with any queries.